HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY week 11 of 2019

Be sure to join us and link up with
Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday

and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

GOOD MORNING everyone!  We had a lazy weekend here other than the laundry and the deep clean I did to catch up after Snowmageddon and the trip we took after to get away.  We take trips instead of presents for our birthdays and hubby had a significant birthday last week so we took off for the beach to get away after the stressful power outage snow week. Unfortunately, we came back from that trip needing a rest.  I’m hoping to edit the pictures from that trip this week and get a post done this week.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE  It’s still a bit foggy and gray, but supposedly it will get sunny today. The snow from SNOWMAGEDDON 2019 should finish melting today with that sun!  There are even a couple days predicted to be in the 60’s this week LOL 😀 we will see if they actually materialize though!  The weather seems to change way too fast lately and the forecast is only about 10% reliable.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE A cup of hot water, banana and mixed berry yogurt.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE/WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS/CRAFT BASKET/APPOINTMENTS

  • LAUNDRY… ALL caught up
  • LIVING AREAS… clean and tidy
  • KITCHEN… empty dishwasher
  • YARD… too soggy, fence repairs
  • BLOG… a couple recipe updates, trip posts after some photo editing
  • CRAFTS/PROJECTS… ??
  • APPOINTMENTS… some new blood work
  • TO DO… groceries, errands…

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

2017 was a rough year.  My MIL passed away on the 7th and it was difficult to process. Mom was only 4 days shy of her 97th birthday so doing the math, today would have been her 99th birthday.  Can you believe she was almost 90 in this picture taken at a family camp out several years ago? She lived a VERY FULL and mostly happy life leaving behind a long legacy of love and family.  While at that age you know it’s natural causes and inevitable, it never lessens the severity of the impact and we still miss her, A LOT!  She had been saying for years that she was ready to go, but we just never wanted it to happen. Just knowing I’ll never be able to hear her sweet voice again still leaves me with a heavy heart.

Then on the 21st my favorite BIL, Ray, entered hospice as his cancer continued to eat away at his body.  He passed quietly surrounded by family on the 25th.  Ray was one of the best men I have EVER known in my entire life. I LOVED talking to him for hours – we have so many beliefs and ideals in common, almost like we shared the same thought process despite the HUGE age difference (hubby is almost 20 years older than me and his sister is 7 years older than him and my BIL was 3 years older than her – you get the picture). He also lived a VERY FULL and happy life also leaving behind a long legacy of love and family.

His death hit me the hardest.  I think because we were so close and were both diagnosed with reproductive cancers within weeks of each other. He did everything right, just a bit too late for when his was diagnosed. I have had to struggle with moving past the Survivor’s Guilt of a high mortality cancer for the past 8 years and 99% of the time I’m doing well with it, I just wish he was walking that same path with me!

I REALLY MISS THEM BOTH!  MARCH IS ALWAYS A DIFFICULT MONTH.

INSPIRATION

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY – TURKEY & RICE SOUP with BISCUITS
TUESDAY – TOMATO BISQUE with PARMESAN CRISPS
WEDNESDAY – CHICKEN & NOODLE SOUP with BUTTERED CROUTONS
THURSDAY – CREAM OF POTATO and HAM SOUP with CORN BREAD
FRIDAY – C.O.R.N.
SATURDAY – LEMON PEPPER CHICKEN & SALAD
SUNDAY – COWBOY GOULASH 

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

FEATURED PARTY LINKS FOR THIS WEEK

 

Jean

I’m sorry this is a hard month for you. I know that grief can hit you even years later and out of nowhere. Hope you’ll remember lots of happy times in the midst of the difficulties of this month. Your food always looks so amazing. Did you know today was National Chicken Noodle soup day when you planned your menu? Sounds yummy! Though I did get my fill over the weekend with (going by your chart above) my very bad cold. Hope the rest of your week is wonderful!

QuiltLady

Thank you! I do focus on the good 99% of the time. It’s usually a smell or taste that brigs back memories for me. My dad has been gone almost 26 years now and there are things that STILL bring back vivid memories of him too.

Sure hope you’re feeling better. I had NO idea about National Chicken Soup Day – what a weird coincidence. 😀

Carrie@northwoods scrapbook

oh Dearest ~ So sorry to hear about the loss of your BIL. The pain of losing the ones we love is so difficult, no matter their age or situation. I still miss my MIL everyday too. The comfort is knowing that there is more beyond this and letting our faith and our beautiful memories of them raise us up above the pain and comfort us. Sending you the biggest hugs my Tamy-girl!! May God grant you some peace and know you’re loved and have angels you know now watching over you. 😉 xoxo

QuiltLady

Thank you my friend and you are SOOOOO right. Faith and truly good memories is exactly what carries me through on those loved and lost. I hope you had a GREAT week.

Kelsey

Your menu sounds warm, cozy, and delicious. I’m sorry for your losses. Your drive to keep organized and inspired while dealing with them is encouraging, thank you.

Jodi

Sorry to hear of the losses, they say time heals, but sometimes it really takes a long time. Hugs to you! Your MIL was a beautiful lady!! I am drooling over your food pics!! Have a great week!

Shellie

I am glad you had a wonderful get away! Especially when March is so hard for you! Praying for peace and comfort for you through the month! You have an awesome survivor testimony though! Thank you for sharing it! Your menu sounds amazing! I pray you have a blessed week!

Sandra

I’m sorry March is so hard for you, both your MIL and BIL looked like such sweet souls.

Your food is yummy as always, you make me hungry first thing in the morning LOL

Have a fantastic week my friend 🙂

Carolyn Cyphers

So sorry about the loss and difficult times you have had the past months… hopefully with the change in the weather things will start looking up for you and your family!! I love your idea of tripping for birthdays!!!

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